Lisle Rutledge P.A. is comprised of seven lawyers and ten staff members with more than 100 years of combined experience in the practice of law.

Contact Us

Firm Overview

While located in Springdale, AR, our client list spans Northwest Arkansas and beyond, and includes some 20,000 individuals we've helped through our relationship with LegalShield.

We are a comprehensive, full-service firm, which means we offer quality services in virtually all areas of the law. Some of these services include wills, contracts, real estate, condemnation, employment, estate planning, divorce, child custody, criminal defense and personal injury (please see the Practice Areas page of this site for more details).

Our clients include cities, banks, small and large businesses, and individuals. We are probably proudest of the relationships we have built over the years with our long-time clients and, due to our longevity in this practice, the families of our clients. The practice of law, like any discipline, is based on trust earned over time, and it has been our privilege to assist multiple generations of families.

We are often asked if there is a rating system for lawyers. There is a nationally recognized corporation - Martindale-Hubbell - that publishes rankings based on the opinions of other lawyers. Martindale-Hubbell has consistently awarded Lisle Rutledge P.A. the highest possible ranking.

When you engage our services, you will find a talented and truly dedicated firm that is committed to your concerns. Like any law office, Lisle Rutledge exists to help you navigate in an increasingly complex world. We are passionate about helping people and we welcome the opportunity to meet you and see if we can be of service.

Office Information

Office Manager

Tina Sanford

Emergency After Hours

No

Divorce

Family Law / Domestic Relations

Family Law matters often involve divorces, both uncontested and contested, custody disputes, child support and alimony disputes, modifications, large-estate property and debt divisions, guardianships over children by non-parents, grandparents' rights and visitation, guardianships over incapacitated adults, protective orders, and more. We represent clients in these areas in circuit and juvenile courts as well as appellate courts.

John Lisle

Partner

John is the founder of the firm and has practiced law for nearly 40 years. As a former State Senator and a well-regarded trial lawyer, John has handled numerous high-profile cases over his career, as well as a number of cases that established important legal precedents in Arkansas and beyond.

Shortly after obtaining his law degree, John established himself as a conscientious and capable advocate for his clients. He served as the City Attorney for Springdale before establishing his private law practice. In private practice he quickly made a name for himself by taking on complex cases and achieving record-setting jury verdicts. His argument of cases on appeal has led to distinguishing precedents on a wide variety of issues such as the duty owed in a negligence case, zoning issues, illegal exaction, and a 1st Amendment challenge. After developing his own practice, John was a partner in one of the state's largest and oldest law firms in Little Rock for a time before he returned to Northwest Arkansas. John has successfully handled numerous cases to trial before juries on a multitude of issues.

In a lifetime of community service, John has served as an Arkansas State Senator, a School Board Member, and in numerous local leadership positions in addition to his duties as a City Attorney. He is currently active in Rotary International. He graduated from the University of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas School of Law.

Donnie Rutledge

Partner

Donnie Rutledge is a shareholder of Lisle Rutledge who represents both individuals and companies in a variety of business-related matters.

With a wide client base that spans from residential real estate buyers to lending institutions, approximately one-half of his practice involves litigation and the other half involves counseling clients, drafting contracts, forming businesses and similar matters. Donnie has formed hundreds of corporations and limited liability companies. He also has experience drafting loan agreements and other loan documents for lending institutions as well as defending individuals who have been alleged to have breached those kinds of contracts. In recent years, a considerable amount of his practice has been focused in the area of materialman's liens and lien priority in the foreclosure context. With his expertise on this topic, he has given many seminars and presentations.

He has handled a number of issues related to construction law, from drafting contracts and warranties for general contractors to residential and commercial construction defect claims. He also spends a considerable amount of time advising clients how to be proactive and stay out of litigation. This kind of work includes drafting and providing advice about non-compete agreements, representing borrowers and lenders in workout situations, properly handling the sale of a business, and other ways to predict and prevent commercial disputes. Recently, after successfully handling a commercial contract dispute, it became apparent that additional statutory authority was needed on an issue. Donnie worked with an Arkansas Circuit Court judge to draft a statute that was ultimately adopted as a law by the State of Arkansas as Act 336 of 2009, Ark. Code Ann. 5-37-215.

Donnie is a member of Rotary International as well as a number of attorney-related associations. He graduated with honors from the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Arkansas

Steve Lisle

Partner

Steve Lisle is one of the firm's partners, and in addition to his other practices areas, serves as the manager of the LegalShield section of the firm.

Steve devotes a considerable amount of his practice to the representation of clients in all manner of land-use matters. He has broad experience in these matters representing cities, land owners, and property developers. With the tremendous increase in public projects, he has devoted much of his effort to advising landowners in condemnation litigation. He has successfully represented landowners in numerous takings cases initiated by various federal, state, and local governments and public utilities. He is a former City Attorney and is a frequent speaker at professional seminars for attorneys, civil engineers, and other professionals involved in public projects. In addition to eminent domain court actions, he also interacts with planning officials, code enforcement officers, planning commissions, boards of adjustment, and city councils on behalf of clients on issues such as zoning, site plan, subdivision, and other developmental approvals and permits as well as conditional use permits and variances.

In addition to his land-use experience, Steve represents clients in various civil litigation matters. He advises businesses and individuals on wrongful termination claims; allegations of age, race, sex, and disability discrimination; the validity of covenants not to compete and contract negotiations in administrative proceedings and state and federal court. He also handles commercial litigation cases involving deceptive trade practices, breach of contract, tortious interference with contractual relations, and a wide spectrum of business-related claims.

Steve is a past contributor to the American Bar Association Annual Review of Condemnation Cases, and is a recipient of the Leadership Award with which he was recognized from among the many attorneys working with Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc. throughout North America. He has also received the President's Award from the Arkansas Trial Lawyers' Association. In addition to his professional activities, Steve has served on the Board of Directors for the Arts Center of the Ozarks, the American Heart Association, and the Wilsons 3 Foundation, which recently led the campaign to build a new state-of-the-art facility for the Children's House, which is a residential treatment center for abused and neglected children.

A graduate of the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School, Steve served in the Cavalry before graduating from Hendrix College and Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he interned at the Tennessee Supreme Court. During his spare time, Steve enjoys a variety of activities including open-water swimming competitions, canoeing, hiking, and coaching his kids' sports teams.

James Hatcher

Associate

James Hatcher is the primary attorney practicing in the areas of probate and estate planning. During his career, Jim has represented clients in a wide variety of matters, including personal injury, domestic relations, bankruptcy, real estate, commercial transactions, estate planning, and litigation. He also has extensive experience in the areas of civil rights violations and securities, including work on some of the largest class actions in the country.

In recent years, Jim has dedicated the majority of his practice to estate planning, commercial transactions, and business formation. He stresses the importance of clients planning for the preservation and management of their assets both during their lifetime and after their death. This often involves the creation of revocable and irrevocable trusts, as well as the formation of limited liability companies, corporations, partnerships and other entities. As a part of the estate planning process, he assists clients in formulating and implementing business and estate planning structures that will accomplish their goals and maximize their protection.

In addition to more complex forms of estate planning, Jim has prepared hundreds of wills, living wills, health care declarations, and powers of attorney for clients each year for the last several years. This process involves discussing their wishes and seeking to accomplish their goals in providing for their family or other loved ones and minimizing the difficulty and expense that can come along with probate or administration of decedents' estates.

Jim received his undergraduate degree from Columbia University, in New York City, New York, where he participated in varsity track and was on the Dean's List. His education at Columbia involved a broad range of studies, which included not only an emphasis on logic and writing, but also a wide range of art, music and literature. He received his law degree from Vanderbilt University School of Law. He is married with three children.

Gene A. "Gino" Franco

Associate

Gino Franco is the firm's primary attorney practicing in the areas of family law and criminal law. He also handles a variety of civil litigation cases, including bankruptcy.

In the criminal law portion of his practice, Gino regularly defends individuals charged with both felonies and misdemeanors. With many years of experience as a Deputy City Attorney, he has prosecuted thousands of criminal cases, and a great many of these cases involved prosecution for the offense of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). Gino was also a certified Law Enforcement Instructor and taught Constitutional Criminal Procedure at the Northwest Arkansas campus of the Arkansas Law Enforcement Training Academy. He also provided instruction on handling DWI/DUI arrests and criminal procedure in training classes offered to rookies of the Springdale Police Department. In addition, he has attended many seminars and classes on the prosecution of these cases. Drawing on this training and experience, Gino is able to provide knowledgeable, capable, and results-oriented criminal defense to his current clients.

Gino also has an active family law practice. This area involves a wide range of matters such as divorces, both uncontested and contested, custody disputes, child support and alimony disputes, modifications, large-estate property and debt divisions, guardianships over children by non-parents, guardianships over incapacitated adults, grandparents' rights and visitation, and more. Gino's familiarity with the area judges who decide these cases and their procedures allows him to effectively and efficiently promote his clients' interests.

Gino is a life-long resident of Northwest Arkansas. He graduated from the University of Arkansas where he worked as a student trainer for both the Razorback football and basketball teams. He graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law where he served as the Vice President of the Student Bar Association, and also as a member of the school's Trial Advocacy team. He was selected as a National Member of the Order of Barristers. Gino and his wife and son are active members in of the First United Methodist Church in Springdale Arkansas where they work with the youth programs. In his spare time he likes to hunt, and he serves as the Vice President of the local committee for Ducks Unlimited.

Mona Teague

Associate

Mona Teague is an experienced attorney who primarily counsels and represents the firm's clients who are members of LegalShield. Mona advises and represents individuals and small businesses in a full range of legal concerns. She has dedicated her professional career to improving access to justice and quality legal representation for all Arkansans, especially low-income individuals and children. She previously served for fifteen years as the Executive Director of Ozark Legal Services and Legal Aid of Arkansas.

She served as co-counsel in several successful statewide class actions involving reform of the foster care system in Arkansas, as well as a statewide class action involving long-term care benefits for veterans. In a career demonstrating a concern for those of greatest need, Mona has represented hundreds of juveniles by serving as the Court-Appointed Guardian ad litem in Dependency/Neglect and Family in Need of Services proceedings. She has also served as an advocate for children and parents in proceedings involving Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Mona has also represented numerous clients who have been denied public benefits at all levels of appeal, including hearings before Administrative Law Judges and Hearing Officers. These benefits include Social Security Disability, Medicaid, SSI, unemployment, public housing, and food stamps. Mona has handled numerous family law-related matters, including divorces, custody modifications, child support hearings, and the establishment of paternity.

As Executive Director of Ozark Legal Services, Mona managed seven offices in Northwest and North Arkansas, and acted as the supervisor of up to twenty-five attorneys. In that position, she co-wrote and administered the first grant in Arkansas to coordinate services for victims of domestic violence, which was funded by the Levi Strauss Foundation.

In her dedication to the highest principals of her profession, Mona has served on a number of important boards and commissions, including the Board of Directors (including Chairperson) for Arkansas Volunteer Lawyers for the Elderly, the Access to Justice Commission, which was established by the Arkansas Supreme Court to explore and develop methods to increase legal protection for all Arkansans, and the National Health Law Program, which developed training for legal-service advocates throughout the Southeastern United States. Mona also served as the Arkansas representative of an organization which developed and streamlined procedures for Electronic Benefit Transfers for food stamp recipients.

Mona is a graduate of the University of Arkansas Medical Sciences Campus and the University of Arkansas School of Law. Her personal interests include gardening, cooking and studying history, particularly that of Arkansas.

Jason Boyeskie

Associate

Jason Boyeskie counsels and represents the firm's clients who are members of LegalShield, representing individuals and small business clients across a variety of practice areas. Jason previously operated his own firm in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Jason has experience as a trial attorney in cases involving civil actions, family law, probate, and criminal law, across the State of Arkansas and in both State and Federal court. He has represented clients in hearings before the bench as well as juries. He was the 2012 LegalAid Outstanding Service Award recipient, having donated well over 100 hours to pro bono cases in Washington County, showing his commitment to justice for all. Jason also serves as the Prosecuting Attorney for West Fork, Arkansas, handling a wide range of issues from moving violations to misdemeanors, and is proud to serve the people of the City.

Originally born in Little Rock, he moved to Atlanta for undergraduate school and graduated from Georgia State University with a B.B.A. in Economics, summa cum laude. Jason returned to Arkansas, after a career in Information Technology, to pursue a law degree and graduated from the University of Arkansas School of Law in 2008 cum laude. While in school, he served as a Note & Comment Editor on the Arkansas Law Review and published his article "A Matter of Opinion: Federal Appellate Rule 32.1 and Citation to Unpublished Opinions." He also served as Chair of the Law School's Board of Advocates and was a member of several traveling trial competition teams. When not at work, Jason and his wife, Julie, enjoy travelling, reading, and caring for their two dogs, Bailey and Senator.